MOGADISHU — Somali police arrested 11 soldiers on Tuesday for illegally carrying weapons in central Mogadishu, part of a citywide security sweep aimed at enforcing a ban on off-duty personnel moving around armed ahead of this week’s local council elections.
The Banadir Regional Police Command said the detentions followed coordinated operations across several districts of the capital to curb unauthorized weapons in public spaces and reinforce directives intended to protect civilians.
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- 11 soldiers detained for illegally carrying firearms in Mogadishu
- Arrests linked to enforcement of a ban on off-duty personnel carrying weapons
- Suspects to be referred to court, police say
- Crackdown comes ahead of Thursday’s Dec. 25 local council elections
- Nearly 10,000 police officers assigned to secure the vote
“The 11 suspects are currently in police custody and will be referred to the appropriate court to ensure compliance with the law and to take the necessary legal measures,” the Banadir Regional Police Command said in a statement.
Authorities said the operation is part of broader efforts to strengthen public security and deter actions that could endanger civilian safety in the capital. Police did not immediately disclose which military units the soldiers belonged to or provide additional details about the seizures.
The arrests coincide with heightened enforcement of previously issued security directives prohibiting off-duty officers from carrying guns in Mogadishu. Officials say the measures are designed to reduce the potential for armed incidents in busy urban areas and to maintain a controlled environment ahead of the polls.
Somali security agencies have announced that nearly 10,000 police officers are ready to provide election security on Thursday, Dec. 25. Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Farataag) said the Somali Police Force has finalized comprehensive plans intended to ensure the vote proceeds peacefully, safely and fairly.
Police did not say how long the detained soldiers would remain in custody but emphasized that referrals to the courts would follow established legal procedures. The force has urged service members and other security personnel to comply with standing orders on firearms and to support the broader effort to keep weapons out of public spaces unless explicitly authorized.
Tuesday’s arrests underline the zero-tolerance posture security officials say they will maintain throughout the election period, as authorities seek to reassure residents and candidates that voting can take place without disruption.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
